15% of voters to spurn major parties: Poll

A record 15 per cent of voters say they plan to support independent candidates or a micro-party in next month's elections, according to the latest Newspoll.

Backing for micro-parties and independent candidates has jumped by three points in the past fortnight, to the highest level during a formal election campaign in the 31-year history of Newspoll.

The poll of 1867 voters published in The Australian on Monday also shows the parties level-pegging at 50-50 in two-party preferred terms.

The government's primary vote has dropped one point to 40 per cent, the lowest level since Malcolm Turnbull became prime minister 10 months ago, while Labor's primary vote also fell one point to 35 per cent.

Both Mr Turnbull and opposition leader Bill Shorten also declined in the better prime minister ratings, with Mr Turnbull dropping one point to 45 per cent and Mr Shorten down one point to 30 per cent.

No leader has won an election in the past three decades with an approval rating below 40 per cent, according to The Australian.